Learn English – ‘Most used’ and ‘most frequently used’

word-choiceword-difference

In the sentence

'The' is one of the most frequently used words in the English language.',

if I deleted the word 'frequently' wouldn't the meaning of the sentence be unchanged? If this is the case, is the expression 'most frequently' right? Wouldn't the word 'frequently' be redundant? I argued with someone that the expression 'most frequently used' is incorrect (or atleast unnecessary).

But Ngrams tells me a very different story. Google search results are certainly higher for 'most used' than 'most frequently used'. But the numbers for the latter are very high as you can see.

I want to know if there is a difference between the two, and if not, which one is a better choice. Thanks in advance.

Best Answer

In general, the answer depends on the nature of the usage. In your example you're correct. Consider two kinds of usage:

With words, all there is is frequency; if you use a word, that's a use.

On the other hand say you own two cars. You use one frequently for short trips, the other infrequently for extremely long trips. Your most frequently used car and your most used car are likely to be different vehicles.

Ngrams of "most used" and "most frequently used" aren't relevant for this question because the popularity of those phrases has nothing to do with which is applicable. As DRF notes, the Ngrams might not even be capturing what you think you're requesting even if the phrases were relevant.

The phrases do have different meanings, but word use and word frequency happen to be the same numbers.

Related Solutions

Learn English – “Most” or “Virtually”

Your interpretation of "most" meaning "more than 50%" is a determiner. For example, "Most dogs are friendly", most is a determiner of dogs.

However, in your sentence, a determiner doesn't fit at that position. You would need an adverb, and you need an adverb that can modify "every". Now "virtually" is an adverb that modify "every", and "virtually every" is a common combination.

"Most" can be used as an adverb. It has the special use of forming superlatives, but "every" isn't an adjective, so this adverbial meaning doesn't fit. "Most" also has a meaning of "almost". This meaning is chiefly American, and this would make "most" a possible answer, but not the most likely one. This usage is informal, and many language professors would be likely to insist on the use of the word "almost" - "almost every" rather than "most every".

The other two words don't fit, since they don't modify "every". So there are two possible correct answers. "virtually" and "most", with "virtually" being much more likely, especially in British English.

(dictionary source)

Word-Usage – Term for Someone Who Never Gets Tired

Your analysis is quite correct.

a. tireless
b. untiring
c. indefatigable
d. relentless

Tireless means unstoppable with your approval;

Untiring means unstoppable but this word is not quite as common as "tireless";

Indefatigable means the same but sounds formal, mostly because it's a six-syllable word;

And Relentless suggests either disapproval, grudging approval or approval as the person faces difficult opposition.

The bully has been relentless in tormenting my son.

President Smith has been relentless in his quest to discover and fire his political enemies.

Our troops in the west have been relentless at discovering and fighting the enemy.

Notice in #2 above that "President Smith" is doing an activity which is not really of a physical nature. You likely wouldn't use "tireless" in this case, because tireless implies a physical activity that makes you tired. "Relentless" can be used for this purpose (#3), but it can also simply mean that the person has not relented (stopped or slowed down).

Best Answer

Related Solutions

Learn English – “Most” or “Virtually”

Word-Usage – Term for Someone Who Never Gets Tired

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